The Benefits of Being a Family

A couple of Sundays ago, during the Children’s Message I talked about the blessings of being a part of a church family.  For all of you who were not there, let me share a few things I said. To first put it in context, you need to know a little of what I went through. From the middle of April through the middle of May my life has been quite the ordeal. First, I  went out of town, then got an infected foot (of course being a “man” I didn’t get it treated promptly – which my wife hasn’t let me forget), spent time first in urgent care, then the emergency room of Novato Community Hospital, got pumped full of antibiotics, came home, had a very rare reaction to the combination of antibiotics I was taking, ended up in the emergency room and then was admitted into the hospital with what they determined was a case of chemically induced meningitis. I released myself the next day and came home weak and tired and unable to do much more than sleep. That lasted at least a week. From there I gradually regained my strength and stamina and was able to return to work – first part time and then full time.  That’s the short version!  As I sit at my computer I would say I am almost 100% again.  Thank God and thank Santa Teresa Hills Presbyterian Church!

It was a long ordeal, but was made manageable by my church family.  Many of you prayed for me.  As a matter of fact I had congregations as far away as Illinois praying for me (my sister-in-law was visiting out there and brought me up during their joys and concerns).  Nine families brought us food. Oh, did I mention that when I was in the emergency room Austin also broke his wrist and was in the very next room?  Many of you took time to take our kids to school and then pick them up in the afternoon.  I got lots of cards and phone calls.  I was definitely in good hands.

That kind of care doesn’t happen by accident.  It is what it means to be family.  I am blessed with a very close family.  We weren’t always that way. Growing up, my brother and two sisters and I were constantly bickering, and doing what brothers and sisters do.  But as we grew into adulthood we found that we really liked each other, as different as we were. That’s the same here at the church.  We are all very different people.  We have different likes and dislikes, different hobbies and professions, we even have different theologies.  But what unites us is – we are family.  We love each other and we aren’t afraid to show it.

I hope that when you are sick, discouraged, down in the dumps, or any of a myriad of things that might affect you – that you will reach out to your family – at the very least, your church family … so that we can throw our arms around you and love you and support you.  That’s what we are here for.

Thank you Santa Teresa Hills Presbyterian Church family and friends for all your love, support, care, and prayers.  It did make a difference.

May God bless each of you with love, peace, grace, and a true sense of family here at STHCP…

And as always, I’ll see you on Sunday.

Pastor Tom